Reward rises to $13K in 2016 Detroit slaying

A reward for tips in a 2016 fatal shooting of a teen in Detroit has climbed to $13,500, Crime Stoppers of Michigan announced Wednesday.

Jada Rankin would have turned 17 this week. The Sterling Heights High School student was leaving her grandmother’s home on the 14300 block of Ardmore after a birthday party about 2 a.m. Oct. 16, 2016, when a silver 2007 Chevy reportedly sped down the street, authorities said. That prompted Rankin’s brother to warn the driver.

The motorist stopped, opened the car door and allegedly fired gunshots into the crowd, hitting Rankin. She was pronounced dead at nearby Sinai-Grace Hospital.

As months passed without leads, Crime Stoppers offered $7,000 for help from the public.

Relatives also have pleaded for answers. Her mother, Tawanna Rankin, who launched a nonprofit in her daughter’s name to support those affected by gun violence, spoke out about the loss this month during a victim awareness walk in Clark Park in Detroit.

“She was just one of the beautifulest little girls that anybody would have loved,” Rankin said.

If a tip leading to an arrest is received by midnight, Crime Stoppers plans to add $1,000 to the reward, officials said.

Anyone with information can anonymously call the group at 1-800-SPEAK-UP or go to www.1800speakup.org.